Which bodily functions are primarily affected by fear?

The correct answer highlights that fear primarily affects heart rate and blood pressure, which are key physiological responses associated with the body's fight-or-flight reaction. When a person experiences fear, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones. This results in an increase in heart rate and blood pressure to prepare the body for rapid action.

During moments of fear, the heart beats faster to pump more blood to vital organs and muscles, ensuring that the body can respond quickly to a perceived threat. Simultaneously, blood pressure rises to optimize the delivery of oxygen and nutrients crucial for maintaining high levels of physical performance.

Other options, while involving important bodily functions, do not directly capture the primary impact of fear. For instance, while breathing may be affected, the most crucial immediate responses lie in cardiovascular changes, which are fundamental to the body's ability to react effectively in stressful situations. Similarly, processes like digestion are typically slowed during stress, but they are not as central to the immediate fight-or-flight response as heart rate and blood pressure.